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Halloween Project: Spooky Eyes in the Bushes — Parallax Forums

Halloween Project: Spooky Eyes in the Bushes

Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
edited 2005-04-29 18:34 in Robotics
The intent of this simple project is to create random glowing eyes in the bushes.· When triggered, the program will select a random ouput and ramp up the brightness of the eyes (LEDs) connected to that pin using the PWM instruction.· The schematic shows an active-low input, but this can be easily adjusted in the program for an active-high input -- this would allow the project to be triggered with a small PIR motion sensor.

Applicable PIR sensor: http://www.hvwtech.com/pages/products_view.asp?ProductID=95

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Jon Williams
Applications Engineer, Parallax
Dallas, TX· USA

Post Edited (Jon Williams) : 1/16/2005 9:53:28 PM GMT

Comments

  • MacGeek117MacGeek117 Posts: 747
    edited 2005-01-16 21:21
    Jon,
    Do you have the program in PBASIC 2.5?
    bugg

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    So many projects, so little time.
  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2005-01-16 21:34
    This is supposed to be a small, low-cost project hence I used a BS1. The code is very easily ported to the BS2, however. You simply have to correct the pin, constant, and variable declarations, then adjust the PWM command for the BS2's speed (versus the BS1).

    Okay ... it took all of two minutes to update the program for the BS2.· I've attached it to the original post.

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
    Dallas, TX· USA

    Post Edited (Jon Williams) : 1/16/2005 9:51:17 PM GMT
  • MacGeek117MacGeek117 Posts: 747
    edited 2005-01-18 23:17
    Thanks Jon.
    bugg

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    So many projects, so little time.
  • StarManStarMan Posts: 306
    edited 2005-01-21 02:55
    As a suggested added enhancement:

    Get some 1" clear acrylic spheres from your local plastics house or www.craftics.com.

    Sand the surface of the spheres to eliminate internal reflection.

    Drill a hole in each sphere - .199 dia by .30 deep - and epoxy the LEDs in the holes with clear epoxy. (hole size is for standard 5mm LED)

    Mask off the outline of the eyes and iris with tape or opaque paint allowing light to emit only from the pupil and cornea.

    Fabricate a mounting bracket. (acrylic is easily drilled and tapped)



    Chris Isaacson
  • MacGeek117MacGeek117 Posts: 747
    edited 2005-01-22 01:11
    Good idea, StarMan.
    bugg

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    So many projects, so little time.
  • randyazrandyaz Posts: 61
    edited 2005-02-02 06:33
    Jon,
    What is the V and mA ratings of the LED's?
  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2005-02-02 14:35
    To test I was running junk-box LEDs; forward voltage was about 1.5. With two stacked and a 220 ohm series resistor the LEDs are getting about 9 mA when full on. This is well within the bounds of a BS1 output pin, and only one is on at the same time. For brighter "eyes" the outputs could be run through a ULN2003 and incandescant lamps could be used.

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
    Dallas, TX· USA
  • brianobriano Posts: 3
    edited 2005-04-29 18:34
    this is great I am going to combine the cricket post and the eyes to put in the bushes in the yard·so the kids can have some fun at the next bbq.· Maybe even keep them occupied long enough to allow the grownups to enjoy a steak and a cold one with out interruptions.



    thanks for the information.
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